Extension E-News April 2021 |
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** Plant Sale Pick-Up Information **
Plant order pick up will be easy for everyone! In order to continue to practice social distancing, your orders will be available curbside only.
All orders are available for pick up on ONE DAY ONLY, Tuesday, April 13 from
8 a.m.- 6 p.m. There is curbside pick up at the Cooperative Extension Center
(10 S. Mitchell Avenue, Bakersville). After 6 p.m., leftover orders will be removed.
Orders are in boxes with a label that has your name on it along with what you ordered and a planting guide.
We look forward to seeing you! We must continue with our COVID-19 safety protocol so staff members will be wearing a mask (we hope you will too) and maintaining social distancing practices.
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TRACTOR Seeks Growers!
Sierra Bryant, Sales Programs Manager for TRACTOR, is reaching out to encourage growers in need of a market to consider growing products for TRACTOR. "We sell anything local and edible.This means all fruits, veggies (the more varieties the better), spices, eggs, beef, pork, lamb, ferments, flowers, baked goods, dairy, cheese, honey, molasses, and more. I want to put a special emphasis on vegetables. We need veggies the most."
If you are looking for a market in which to sell your agricultural products, you may want to consider TRACTOR. For more information, visit TRACTOR's website.
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Installing a New Package of Bees? Here’s a New Tip to Improve Acceptance
Springtime for beekeepers is synonymous with starting new colonies, especially since winter losses have been hovering ~25% every year so that beekeepers need to recoup their numbers. There are three main ways to start new colonies of honey bees. The most recommended method is to make or purchase a local nucleus colony (“nuc”) from an authorized vendor, which typically includes five frames of brood, food stores, and a laying queen. These can be pricy (although well worth the cost), but their availability is often quite limited because of the very high demand. A second way is to see if you can capture a swarm from another colony, but while free for the beekeeper this method is unreliable, risky, and out of one’s control.
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An Update on Asian Giant Hornets |
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Last year, there was a lot of media buzz (no pun intended) surrounding the introduction of Asian giant hornets (Vespa mandarinia) into the United States. Specifically, these exotic insects were sighted in the Pacific Northwest (Washington). Referred to colloquially “murder hornets”, these insects are native to Asia where they are known to attack and destroy hives of honey bees. Due to the perceived threat of this insect to pollinators as well as their large size (workers average over 1.5″ in length), there was, and continues to be, fear surrounding the impact Asian giant hornets could have if they were to establish in the United States.
Recently, you may have noticed that CNN and other media outlets have started to publish new articles on the topic of the approaching “murder hornet season”. However, it is important to note that, to date, this insect has never been spotted outside of Washington State or southwestern Canada. Previously established colonies and individuals, as of 2019-2020, were eradicated. Although federal agencies in the United States are gearing up to monitor for new and lingering introductions of “murder hornets”, there is no current evidence that this insect has established in the United States. In addition, there has never been an Asian giant hornet introduction in the eastern United States, including North Carolina. There are, however, multiple local wasp and hornet species that may be confused with the Asian giant hornet.
Please see our look-alike cheat sheet to help guide your identifications as these stinging insects begin to emerge as the weather warms. Most of these insects are beneficial and do not require action or pesticidal applications. If you would like more information of the biology and behavior of Asian giant hornets, please refer to our news bulletin written by Dr. Mike Waldvogel.
–Sydney Crawley, N.C. State University
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When is the proper time to apply fertilizer? Application of fertilizer should be based around a few factors. First, a soil test should have been completed to determine how much product one needs to apply. Prior to application an application of lime should have been administered to get the pH to the proper range. Remember if the pH is out of range fertilizer is being wasted, also lime takes about 60-90 days to adjust the pH. The most crucial factor to keep in mind is that fertilizer application is most effective when the soil temperature is above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. There is a 15 degrees difference between soil and air temperatures. Fertilizer applied to a cold soil is wasted fertilizer due to cold temperatures surprising biological breakdown of the fertilizer. So, make sure the temperature is on the rise and get to growing. For more information contact Shane Biddix at 828.688.4811.
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Currently, two 3rd grade classes at Deyton Elementary School are enjoying Steps to Health classes virtually! This is North Carolina’s SNAP-Ed program, and it is implemented by many Family and Consumer Sciences Agents across the state. Steps to Health focuses on healthy eating choices and physical activity. Students are learning about the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy) and having discussions around the sensory experience of eating a variety of foods. Students receive several take home materials as they complete lessons, such as water bottles and frisbees. Upon completion of the Steps to Health program, each student receives a certificate and their very own age appropriate cookbook! |
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Our Parent Education Opportunities Portal is Live!
We are committed to empowering the families in our community by providing resources and education that preserve, enhance, and strengthen relationships. Our county is fortunate to have many agencies that offer classes that can support you in raising a happy, healthy child. These education opportunities are not only for caregivers who are experiencing challenges, but for folks who have goals for their families, want to take preventative measures to support their children, and enjoy connecting with other local families.
Many of the current offerings are virtual and include wonderful incentives in an attempt to make a virtual setting as inviting as being in person. Incentives for virtual education opportunities include:
- weekly gift cards for family meals
- activity kits for children
- support for technology/internet connectivity barriers
Some of these opportunities have open enrollment, while others have set start and end dates. Be sure to visit the Parent Education Opportunities portal to learn more!
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4-H Presentations are Like "Show and Tell"
Deadline to Upload Presentations for Mitchell County 4-H Activity Day Competition is 5pm, Monday, May 24.
They really are like show and tell! It's an excellent competitive event designed to teach public speaking skills! Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Mitchell County and West District 4-H competition will be virtual. Design and video a 5-12 minute presentation on a topic YOU choose! Upload it and a group of trained volunteers review and provide feedback. If selected as a winner, your video moves on to district competition (and, if selected, to state finals)!
So, get busy preparing YOUR presentation! If you'd like to learn more, check out the 2021 North Carolina Awards Handbook where you'll find presentation rules, the various presentation categories and what the prizes are (yes, prizes!).
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4-H Outdoor Cookery Presentations Hosted by the
AB Tech Culinary Program
Do you enjoy cooking outdoors - grilling chicken or pork or turkey or beef? How about seafood? The 4-H Outdoor Cookery competition is the ONLY contest that will be held face-to-face! If you're selected to present at the West District 4-H Activity, you will grill outdoors on the campus of AB Technical Community College (AB Tech) in Asheville on Friday, June 25! Trained chefs will judge your safety, hygiene and cooking techniques! You will learn so much from trained professionals and you will get to see the professional kitchens on campus too!
This is a unique opportunity! If you're interested in learning more, please contact Eve Kindley or call 828.688.4811. Each participant will receive some monetary support to purchase meat, poultry and seafood for practicing! Don't wait! Learn more now! The deadline to register for 4-H Outdoor Cookery Presentations is April 30.
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4-H Winged Wonders
Student in Sarah Woody's 2nd grade classroom (Gouge Elementary) are learning the important role butterflies play in pollination and how they serve as part of the food chain for other organisms. Currently, they're studying complete and incomplete metamorphosis and will begin raising painted lady butterflies in the classroom after the students return from spring break! In May, they'll construct a butterfly garden along the Creek Walk in Bakersville! Keep your eyes out for this 4-H project soon! For more information, contact Eve Kindley at 828.688.4811.
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4-H Gets Growing
In an effort for youth to learn about basic horticulture and gardening principles, Youth will design and build their own vertical garden! Thanks to funding from Mitchell County Farm Bureau, approximately 20 youth will construct their own strawberry tower and receive gardening tips and instructions on growing strawberries at home! Participants will record watering, plant growth and production throughout the growing season. Look for registration information in late April or contact Eve Kindley at 828.688.4811.
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4-H Pizza Garden
A cooperative effort is underway between Mitchell County Extension's 4-H Program, Spruce Pine Library and the Spruce Pine Housing Authority to provide youth (grades 3-5) for youth to learn about various agricultural products that are used to produce pizza as well as nutrition and consumer decision-making - all while growing a pizza garden! The educational program will be conducted at the Spruce Pine Housing Authority. While registration is open to the public, priority is given to Spruce Pine Housing Authority residents (i.e., apartments on Fairgound Street). For more information, contact Eve Kindley or Jessica Zucchino at 828.688.4811.
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Mitchell Giving Gardens Learning Component
Mitchell Giving Gardens (MGG) will dedicate one raised bed at its Riverside Park, Spruce Pine location for learning! Shane Biddix, Agriculture Agent is working with the Growing Team to design and plant the giving garden component - 16 beds dedicated to growing food for those who need it while Eve Kindley, County Extension Director and Extension 4-H Agent serves on the Learning Team and, along with Meghan Martin (MGG Volunteer), is designing learning experiences for youth! For more information on Mitchell Giving Gardens and its efforts in the Spruce Pine and surrounding community, please contact Eve Kindley at 828.688.4811.
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Teachers Get Ready for a 4-H
EGGcellent Adventure!
The egg is a marvel of nature, and incubating eggs and observing the emergence of the chick is a fascinating experience for a young person. The static egg transforms into an active, living organism. Students study development of the chick embryo, record and interpret their observations, and brood chicks in the classroom. Mitchell County Public School 2nd grade teachers will launch 4-H Embryology in late April by incubating fertile eggs in the classroom. Mitchell County 4-H provides supplies, educational materials and technical support and teachers provide instruction to their students - what a great partnership! For more information, please contact Eve Kindley at 828.688.4811.
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4-H Clubs Prepare to Resume Face-to-Face Meetings
Mitchell County 4-H Clubs have received the "green light" to resume with face-to-face meetings as long as strict 4-H Covid-19 protocols are in place! This includes: 4-H Covid-19 protocol training for its club volunteers, 4-H Covid-19 protocol information communicated to members and parents prior to attending meetings, temperature checks upon arrival at meetings, wearing face coverings, social distancing, frequent hand washing and disinfecting areas used by youth both before and after meetings. Also, 4-H volunteers must create a plan for disinfecting any materials that may be shared during a meeting. Additionally, no 4-H meetings can be held in a personal residence. For more information or to schedule 4-H Covid-19 training, please contact Eve Kindley at 828.688.4811.
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There's Still Time to Register in 4-HOnline!
All 4-H members and volunteers must register in
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NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension.
NC State Extension is committed to positive action to secure equal opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or disability.
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made
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